Chapter 37: Masks of Deception

Luna's POV

The grand ballroom sparkled with a thousand twinkling lights, the air thick with perfume and tension. I adjusted my form-fitting gown, hyper-aware of Ash's presence beside me. His hand rested on the small of my back, a gesture that was both comforting and electrifying.

"Remember," he murmured, his lips barely moving, "we're madly in love, so it's okay to kiss me anytime you feel like it."

I nearly choked on my champagne, heat rising to my cheeks. "Very funny," I whispered back, trying to ignore the way my heart raced at the thought.

We were here on a mission - to infiltrate this inter-pack gathering and uncover more about the secret council Garrett had mentioned. But posing as mates was proving to be a dangerous game, one that blurred the lines between pretense and reality.

As we mingled with the crowd, I couldn't help but marvel at Ash's ability to switch seamlessly between charming smiles and shrewd observations. He played the part of the doting mate perfectly, his touch always gentle, his eyes never straying far from me.

But beneath the facade, I could sense the toll it was taking on him. Each caress, each loving glance - they all came with a price. The curse still lingered, punishing him for every moment of closeness.

"Alpha Liam approaching," Ash whispered, his breath hot against my ear. "Ready to put on a show?"

Before I could respond, he pulled me close, one hand cupping my face tenderly. My breath caught in my throat as his lips met mine in a searing kiss.

For a moment, the world fell away. There was only Ash - his scent enveloping me, his touch igniting fires I thought long extinguished. I melted into him, forgetting about our mission, about the curse, about everything but the feel of his lips on mine.

When we finally broke apart, I was breathless and dizzy. Ash's eyes were dark with a mixture of desire and pain, and I knew the curse was wreaking havoc on him.

"Ah, young love," a booming voice interrupted. Alpha Liam, a bear of a man with a deceptively jovial demeanor, clapped Ash on the back. "You must be the lucky mate I've heard so much about."

I forced a smile, trying to regain my composure. "Luna Evernight," I introduced myself, extending a hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Alpha Liam."

As we engaged in polite small talk, I couldn't help but notice the calculating look in Liam's eyes. He was fishing for information, probing for weaknesses. Every instinct screamed danger.

"I must say," Liam mused, his gaze flicking between Ash and me, "I was surprised to hear of your mating. There were... rumors about a curse, were there not?"

I felt Ash stiffen beside me, his grip on my waist tightening imperceptibly. "Rumors are often exaggerated," he replied smoothly. "As you can see, Luna and I are very happy together."

To emphasize his point, Ash pulled me closer, nuzzling my neck in a display of affection that sent shivers down my spine. But beneath the loving gesture, I could feel the tremors wracking his body - the curse punishing him for every moment of intimacy.

"Indeed," Liam said, though his tone suggested he wasn't entirely convinced. "Well, I look forward to seeing you both on the dance floor later. Nothing cements pack alliances quite like a good waltz, wouldn't you agree?"

As Liam moved away to greet other guests, I turned to Ash in alarm. "Dance? You didn't mention anything about dancing!"

Ash's expression was grim. "It's a traditional part of these gatherings. We can't avoid it without raising suspicion."

My mind raced. Dancing meant prolonged physical contact - something that would undoubtedly cause Ash immense pain. "But the curse-"

"I'll manage," Ash cut me off, his jaw set in determination. "We have to maintain our cover."

Before I could argue further, the orchestra struck up a waltz. Ash led me to the dance floor, his touch gentle but insistent. As he pulled me into his arms, I was struck by how perfectly we fit together.

We began to move, our bodies in perfect synchronization. Ash was an excellent dancer, guiding me effortlessly across the floor. But I could see the strain in his eyes, the tightness around his mouth that betrayed his suffering.

"Ash," I whispered, my heart aching for him. "We don't have to do this. We can find another way-"

"No," he said firmly, spinning me in a graceful turn. "We need to be here, to gather information. Besides," he added, a hint of his usual smirk appearing, "I'm rather enjoying having you in my arms, curse be damned."

His words sent a thrill through me, equal parts joy and sorrow. As we continued to dance, I found myself getting lost in the moment - in the warmth of Ash's embrace, the strength of his arms around me, the intensity of his gaze.

But our romantic interlude was shattered by a sudden commotion near the entrance. Heads turned as a late arrival swept into the ballroom - a striking woman with silver hair and eyes that seemed to glow in the dim light.

Ash's grip on me tightened, his body going rigid. "Impossible," he breathed, his voice barely audible over the music.

"Ash?" I questioned, alarmed by his reaction. "Who is that?"

His next words sent a chill down my spine. "Moira. The witch who cursed me."

My head whipped around to stare at the newcomer. This was her - the source of Ash's torment, the reason we couldn't be together. Anger bubbled up inside me, hot and fierce.

"What is she doing here?" I hissed, fighting the urge to confront her then and there.

"I don't know," Ash replied, his voice tight with tension. "But her presence can't be a coincidence. We need to be careful."

As if sensing our attention, Moira's gaze locked onto us. A slow, predatory smile spread across her face, sending shivers of foreboding through me. She began to make her way across the dance floor, parting the crowd like a shark through water.

"Well, well," she purred as she reached us, her voice like honey laced with poison. "If it isn't the cursed Alpha and his would-be mate. How delightful to see you both here."

Ash's arm around my waist was like iron, both protective and possessive. "Moira," he growled, barely containing his anger. "I must say, I'm surprised to see you at an event like this. Witches aren't usually welcome in wolf territory."

Moira's laugh was like tinkling glass - beautiful and sharp. "Oh, my dear Ash. You'd be surprised at how many doors open when you have the right... leverage."

Her eyes flicked to me, a knowing glint in their depths that made my blood run cold. "And you must be Luna. I've heard so much about you. The girl who would break an unbreakable curse. How... ambitious."

Every word dripped with malice, and I felt my power stirring in response to the threat. Beside me, Ash was a coiled spring, ready to attack at any moment.

But before the situation could escalate further, Alpha Liam appeared, as if summoned by the tension. "Ah, I see you've all met! Excellent. Moira here has some fascinating insights into pack dynamics that I think you'll both find most illuminating."

The implication was clear - this was not a chance encounter. Moira's presence was sanctioned, perhaps even orchestrated, by the very wolves we were here to investigate.

As Liam led us towards a more private area for 'discussions', I exchanged a loaded glance with Ash. Our mission had just become infinitely more complicated - and dangerous.

With Moira's arrival, the lines between ally and enemy, truth and deception, had blurred beyond recognition. And as we followed Liam and the witch who held the key to Ash's curse, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were walking into a trap from which there might be no escape.

The night of pretend intimacy and political intrigue had taken a dark turn, and I feared the consequences would be far-reaching. But one thing was certain - whatever came next, Ash and I would face it together, curse or no curse.